Branden Grace finished tied for fourth at U.S. Open, hopes to do even better at Travelers

CROMWELL — Branden Grace's chance to win the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course went up in smoke with an errant tee shot, wide right, leading to a double bogey on the 16th hole on Sunday.

But for 71 of 72 holes, Grace was as good as anyone in the field. He ended up tied for fourth place, won just over $407,000 and virtually guaranteed himself a PGA Tour membership card.

"A great week from start to end," said Grace, who arrived in Cromwell Monday via chartered flight courtesy of the Travelers Championship.

Grace, a European Tour member from South Africa, has committed to playing both tours this season. He can take another step toward solidifying his PGA Tour status with a strong showing at the Travelers Championship.

Grace, No. 27 in the world, has finished in the top 10 in three of his last four events.

He is rooming this week with fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen, who tied for runner-up at the U.S. Open. Those golfers, plus Patrick Reed, will form one of the more high-profile threesomes in Thursday's opening round (1:05 p.m., first tee).

Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 British Open, and Ernie Els, another South African and a four-time major champion, both have experience at playing the PGA and European Tours at the same time.

"I'll probably ask for some advice to see how they've done it in the past," Grace said Tuesday. "You just need to plan it well and come over here. I think the one thing that's working in my favor, I've won this year [in Europe], so I've got another two years exemption in Europe. So I might come over here full-time next year and play a whole season and see what it's like and just go back [to Europe] for the bigger ones."

Grace, 27, said he grew up idolizing Els and Tiger Woods. Els is in the Travelers field, too, starting off the 10th tee Thursday at 8 a.m.

"Ernie has been one of the biggest idols for South Africa, not just in golf but for all sports," Grace said. "He's done tremendous [things] not just in golf, but what he does for Autism [awareness], the under-privileged. ... It's nice to be able to play with and learn from guys like that."

Grace and other players who are coming off the U.S. Open will welcome aiming for birdie on many holes after being content with mostly pars at Chambers Bay GC.

"I think it's going to feel a little bit easier this week just coming off a grind like that," Grace said. "I've felt it in the past when I've played in Europe since before I was in Europe full-time. I played both tours in Europe and in South Africa, I always found it easier going back to South Africa and playing there. Just mentally you find that you're tougher. So I think this week would be a little bit similar to that. But it looks like it's going to be a birdie course again."

Streelman's Pal

Reigning champion Kevin Streelman will have a special VIP guest Wednesday.

Ethan Couch, 13, of Alberta, is Streelman's guest. Streelman asked Couch, who has an inoperable brain tumor, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation to caddie for him for The Masters par-3 tournament.

Streelman said Couch will walk with Streelman in the FML, CPAS Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament Wednesday and then accompany him during his Celebrity Pro-Am round. Streelman tees off at noon at No. 1. One of his playing partners will be UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. ... Other celebrities of note are: former UConn men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun with pro Harris English at 8:40 a.m. at No. 10, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski and former Pats linebacker Andre Tippett with Els at 12:10 at No. 1, and former UConn basketball player Ray Allen with 2013 champion Ken Duke at 12:40 p.m. at No. 1.

Watson Impressed With Spieth

Bubba Watson on Jordan Spieth, the winner of the first two majors: "We watch the elite athlete. We watch the mental focus and the preparation and the drive to become the best. That's where he's heading. Who knows if he'll ever become No. 1 in the world, but he's trending in that direction pretty quickly. Then '14 [when Watson won the Masters], yeah, I'm just glad I got to beat him in '14 before he went crazy the next year."